Intending pilgrims staying at the Haji Camp, Madina-tul-Hujjaj, have expressed serious concern over non-availability of swine flu vaccine, which is mandatory to be administered for the upcoming Haj. The Hujjaj coming from far-flung areas stay at the camp for two days prior to their departure for the holy-land. Most of them seemed dissatisfied and perturbed as there was no vaccine available to avoid the much-talked swine flu virus.
Talking to APP, they said pilgrims are only informed about the symptoms and reasons of swine flu virus at the centre, but there is no practical steps like administering the vaccine as a precautionary measure to end risk of becoming victim of the disease.
They were of the view that the government must ensure proper vaccination of Pakistani Hujjaj within the country or soon after reaching Saudi Arabia. It is pertinent to mention here that the Saudi authorities had directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure administering seasonal and swine flu vaccines to intending Hujjaj to protect them from viral diseases during Haj.
As per directives of the Saudi authorities, it was compulsory for Hujjaj to carry with them medical certificates of vaccination. When contacted, Director Haj, Directorate of Haj Islamabad Syed Sultan Ali Shah confirmed that swine flu vaccine was not available in Pakistan at present due to its increasing demand in the world.
He said the ministry had approached the international pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the vaccine, but they excused saying that the demand could not be fulfilled immediately. However, the supply can be ensured in January, 2010, he added. Syed Sultan Ali Shah said that all Hujjaj were being provided facilities of polio vaccination and injections of seasonal flu and meningitis.
He said a full-fledged dispensary is working in the camp for taking proper health care of pilgrims, adding "patients are referred to PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals in case of serious illness." This year, as many as 160,000 intending pilgrims would perform the forthcoming Haj under the government and private schemes.
The Ministry would send 80,000 intending pilgrims for Haj while remaining will be sent through Haj Group Organisers. Out of these, more than 50 percent pilgrims have so far been airlifted to Saudi Arabia by Pakistan International Airlines and Saudi Airlines. The pre-Haj flight operation that started on October 21 would continue till November 21.